David Busch's Nikon D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography

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I've been shooting Nikon cameras since 1960. When I look at the collection of buttons, dials, switches, screens and menus on Nikon's D300 digital SLR, I wonder if I would have become a photographer back then if faced with so many choices.

All these choices are good. They let you customize the D300 to be used exactly the way you would want. And the embarrassment of riches means that one camera can do many things, for many different photographers, so that ultimately a highly sophisticated machine can be delivered more cheaply to photographers whose styles vary markedly.

Some of the choices seem really important. Do you want to set up focus so that you are better able to capture a sitting portrait subject or a flying bird? Other choices seem more trivial. Would you rather review the last image you captured by pressing on the left side or the top of a multi-selector switch?

To deal with all these choices, Nikon provides a manual of several hundred pages that explains the options that are offered with some very small, sketchy illustrations, but without explanation of which options might be better for a particular type of photographer.

David Busch set out to bring a little more clarity to the bewildering field of choices, and does a relatively good job of it. Unfortunately, that means going through each menu and selection step by step. The illustrations are larger than the manual and in color, and Busch actually makes recommendations about items to select. For example the D300 allows you to elect to have either 51 or 11 focus points available (which is different then selecting a focus point, once you've made the choice). My first instinct after reading the manual was to ask why everyone wouldn't select the maximum number of focus points, but the author pointed out that 11 points is faster for selecting a focus point for large subject matter, like photographing some sports.

After going through all of the options, Busch returns to several key subjects that usually require the integration of several choices, like getting the right exposure or the best focusing for particular kinds of photography. There's a chapter on lenses that experienced photographers can skip, but that any beginner bold enough to purchase a D300 for his first digital single lens reflex will find useful. The chapter on lighting contained a good explanation of Nikon's Creative Lighting System that allows for an integration of electronic flash in a more useful way then ever before. I only wish Busch had been able to convey the joy of being able to dance around the subject without any kind of tether while your flashes responded. It's easy to feel like David Hemmings with Veruschka in "Blow Up", without all that hot continuous lighting.

The book finishes up with a quick glance at the software available for post processing, which, other than listing the names of software, really didn't provide much help in making a choice, and then covers some maintenance issues like updating firmware and cleaning the camera's sensor.

By its nature this is not an exciting book, since the author eschews any effort at telling us about the artistry possible with the camera, but that's the nature of manuals. One should also note that occasionally Busch falls from grace in small ways, as when he suggests that the D300 can control up to four groups of lights in CLS, when what he probably means to say is that you can transmit your signals on four separate channels, or that four groups can be controlled if you use an external flash. These errors are small and quickly identifiable to anyone trying to use the menus. On the other hand there are a few subjects on which I would have liked to see more material, like AF Fine Tune, where a discussion of the use of targets to select the tuning would have been useful. And I was sorry the chapter on lenses didn't mention the use of focal length to control perspective, especially since there was a set of full page illustrations that showed this so well.

All in all, this is an excellent introduction to the options that are available to photographers with the D300. Although early adopters may already have figured out most of the possibilities, there is probably still something for an experienced user to learn, and, if you've just picked up a D300, this is lot easier to use then the Nikon manual.

I purchased my Nikon D300 in December and at that time bought the Nikon D200 Digital Field Guide because nothing else was available for my camera. I went with the same author, David Busch, for my first D300 book, and I am glad I did! As good as the D200 Digital Field Guide was, the approach taken in this book is much, much better.

Compared to the Digital Field Guides, this book has much more depth and a lot more information on how to use the camera. It's a 450-page full size book with roughly twice the content of a Digital Field Guide, and it features large color illustrations rather than postage stamp sized pictures. To give you the idea of the depth of coverage, this book devotes 117 pages just to menus and setup options, with exhaustive descriptions of how each menu entry works, and why you'd want to select a particular setting. And that doesn't even count a half dozen pages in a later chapter with tables that provide recommended Shooting Menu Bank and Custom Setting Menu Bank settings for particular types of photography.

I particularly enjoyed the 40 pages devoted to lenses, including reviews of all the key lenses available for my Nikon D300. There are another 40 pages on working with light and using the confusing Nikon Creative Lighting System.

Is there anything left out? This time, Busch does not devote a third of the pages to checklist recipes for common shooting situations, as he did with his D200 Digital Field Guide. I think that the owner of a camera this advanced probably doesn't need a couple pages of summaries on how to take photos of seascapes or sunsets. I'd rather have the solid information in this book, which equipped me to go out and take any kind of picture I want to.

I received my D300 in December 2007 and as of the end of April 2008, I've shot 15,600 photos. This book is the perect guide for any D300 owner. Some of the menu options are different from D200 or D80 and the author does a very good job explaining what is different and why.

The book covers all the camera features and gives you ideas about how to best use the features. The book is over 400 pages and larger in size than previous guides of this type. It makes it easier to read. The book is full of color examples.

There is a great section on lenses, flashes. advanced shooting tips, etc.

The manual that comes with the camera is okay to a point, but it has no dicussion. David's book dicusses why you should do something a certain way rather than just listing the options and letting you figure it out.

I learned a lot and will keep reading it to learn everything I can to improve my photography.

I bought this book because I got a Nikon D300 and I knew I would need more than just the manual that comes with the camera.
My friend is a Canon fan and owns the Canon 40D, but I always heard Nikon is a better camera, and I bought the Nikon D300. Why tell you this?
Because when I was debating what camera to buy I read my friends Canon 40D book by this same author. So when I was looking for a book, I saw that David Bush wrote this book, and bought it.
While reading the book I felt I had already read this book. I started coming across information I had already read. I went to the local book store to compare since I didn't have the copy of the Canon book anymore.
Surprise! Not only did I find one book by Mr. Bush with the same information but two (one Nikon and one Canon). Not only does this author reuse the same text throughout the book, but the same pictures are used throughout (Some are not exactly the same but you can tell they were shot in the same time frame). Some image look old and they might not even be digital.
I feel ripped off! I would expect the author would use images shot with the camera. The author is taking a general photography books, adding a few menus from the specific camera, and passing himself off as an expert on the Nikon. Or is he a Canon expert? I can't tell.
This author should be ashamed selling the same book with different covers. Refund!

I have found the Amazon reviews to be very useful most recently in selecting books and other items, so I felt obligated to try to write something about this book that has not already been said. Mr. Busch starts out by stating that his book is additive to the very extensive manual in that it not only will describe all the functions but how you should use them, when and why. To some degree he partially succeeded for some functions but not without providing the following stumbling blocks:
(1) Instead of taking a subject and completing it fully in one place with pictures that are easily seen on the same page, he defers to describing something later in another chapter....which then refers to another chapter.....(and in at least one case the reference was entirely wrong.) In other cases the circular reference gets you back to the starting point without all the necessary information. I am talking about big subjects like focusing, exposure, bracketing. Even though it appears that there is a portion of a chapter related, it takes bouncing around from one place to another to get it all.
(2) There are not only multiple typos but there are outright errors that will throw anybody off the track. When someone takes the time to read these books it would seem the auther and/or publisher would welcome corrections.

(3) What irks me more than anything is the arrogance of the author and publisher in sending this book in our direction without any means of us to notify anybody of substantive errors, typos, suggestions and yes, even quesions. .....whatever. There is no address for finding David Busch. His blog does not allow comments from us commoners as far as I can tell and there is no way for us to get an errata sheet showing any subsequent corrections. I wrote every company listed in the book as being responsible for the publishing and printing of the book and received no answer in over 2 months. It doesn't have to be this way. There is are publishers that not only provides a website to update any book, but admonishes its customers to go to the website before starting. The also provide a continuous errata sheet so that the book remains useful.
In the future, I will try to avoid books in which a customer service contact is not provided for the purpose of corrections, suggestions, questions, etc.

I received the book of David Busch a few days ago. I hadn't the patience to read the manual that came with the Nikon D300 because of its format and the lack of color in it. I had read on the Internet that this book is very well written. Well, I'm not disappointed at all ! It's a great book (432 pages, 190 full-colour pictures, a lot of tables) that explains every single button and feature of the D300. Beside the detailed explanation, there are also a lot of shooting tips. There are also chapters on getting the right exposure, choosing the right lenses, the lighting basics, useful softwares, cleaning the sensor etc.

I think it's iniquitous to write, as one reviewer did, that this book is a ripp-off because there are a lot of pictures that had been used in the Canon 40D book. The controls and features of the Nikon D300 are very well explained in David Busch's book, with numerous pictures of the buttons of this very camera. If there are some landscape pictures or some paragraphs on the lighting basics that were used in another book, it doesn't not prevent this book from being one of the best tool to learn quite all the capabilities of the Nikon D300 ! I thank David Busch for his great work !!!

By far the best book on the Nikon D300. Whereas most competing books do a quick overview of the options and then launch into generic how to take pictures advice (which is likely too simplistic and therefore not useful to someone who shells out major bucks for the D300), Busch's book concentrates almost exclusively on the various (and seemingly infinite) options for the D300. The book is clear and absolutely essential for those who have bought (or want to buy) a D300. I actually bought the book before buying the camera, and reading it convinced me to buy. The documentation that comes with the camera is clear but doesn't help decide when the various options might be useful. Most of the other books on the D300 are not much of an improvement in that regard. Busch's book is. Also the Busch book is extremely helpful on various accessories; the Nikon site is useless in deciding which of various versions of some accessories are important to buy. Several minor errors, a result of rush to publication, but not troublesome.

I just traded all my old Nikons for a D300 and knowing that the factory manual would be almost unintelligible both because of the language as well as its physical size, I automatically searched for but was unsuccessful in finding my old stand-by - the Magic Lantern Guide to (you name the camera). Fortunately, I came upon this book and based solely on the recommendations of others on this site, I purchased it. Physically larger than the Magic Lantern series, his book is much easier to read and the information is so very clearly presented that it is a pleasure to read. The illustrations are very clear, well-labeled and informative.In comparison to the Magic Lantern series which I had for my other Nikons, this book is far and away superior. If you have D300 and do not have extensive experience with advanced digital SLR's, this is the best guide that I have seen so far. Buy it!,

I picked up this book while comparing other books on the D300 and I have to say that this book was completely BORING. Drawn-out discussions and overly technical jargon abound in this book. The author presents the material in a pompous manner and considering that his photos are not even GOOD, I have a problem taking his advice seriously.

This book is probably aimed at technical egg-heads and pixel-peepers.

At two and a half pounds and 430 pages this book is definitely not convenient to carry around as a reference guide, but it would be great for protection against someone trying to mug you for your camera.

So, if you need something to put you to sleep at night, or you like to read highly suspect technical jargon go ahead and buy this dog of a book.

I bought this book as soon as I got my new D300, I had to pre-ordered it from Amazon and got it after a month waiting. It worth the time waiting. This book is an absolute must for any D-300 owner. It explain in detail the camera and its accessories and have invaluable recommendations for both professionals and amateurs on how to use this extremely powerful camera.
It money well spent if you are the owner of one of these Nikon jewels.
Juan

This is an excellent guide for owners of the fantastic Nikon D300! The author certainly knows the camera and his photography expertise adds another dimension to the learning process. I was very impressed with the full color photos that accompany the text and the guide is layed out in an extremely organized manner. David's hints and recommendations for particular settings were invaluable to me for getting started with the camera. This is a great value.

I bought the D300 the day it was released last November. I read and re-read and re-read the included manual. It is a typical Nikon user guide, poorly written and difficult to absorb. I've recently read David's book and am ASTOUNDED at how simple everything really is to understand and use! I flagged and highlighted the things I use most often for quick reference. This book will travel with me everywhere my camera goes. It has a nice, safe, and permanent place among my other gear. It's invaluable and AMAZINGLY written in comprehendable sentences. It's written for a real life photographer like myself. I'm grateful to have gotten this book. It's opened up all the possibilities of my camera to me. Possibilities I missed in the technobabble of the D300 user manual. I no longer carry the user manual with me. It's a nice dust collector on my desk now.

Absolutely the best guide for such a complex camera!!! David should make some DVDs of his material, to accentuate the use of the awesome book!!! He really knows digital cameras and especially this one.

Only in 3rd chapter, but this book is far better than any of his others. Diagrams and pictures are large and in color and Busch is extremely thorough. All content is about the D300; not a lot of generic digital photography fluff. Not only is this the first book out on the D300, but probably the best, by far.

Beginners and advanced photographers will love this plain-speaking, but in-depth explanation of the new Nikon D300 digital SLR.

David Busch is becoming one of my favorite authors. I've reviewed several of his books, including a few of his camera guides, and what I appreciate most is that he has the ability to write at exactly the right level for his intended audience. His guide to the Nikon D80, for example, was aimed at entry-level photographers who aspired to greater proficiency, and did a good job of guiding them along this path while explaining the features and settings of the camera fully.

Now Busch has written a guide for the Nikon D300, and he seems to recognize that a book that sticks to an entry-level approach won't work with a camera that has such a rich set of capabilities. Even so, he does a good job with the first few chapters and the introductory material in later chapters of providing a solid grounding in basic ideas.

New photographers are not dumped in over their heads. Even more advanced photographers may learn something new from Busch's explanations. But this book excels when it comes to going beyond the basics, providing more detail and advice than you're likely to find in other, less ambitious guidebooks. For example, his explanation of autofocus, particularly as it applies to the two methods available with the D300's Live View mode, is the clearest I've ever seen.

If you want a book that is much more than a rephrasing of the product manual, and which contains everything you need to know to get the most out of your D300, this is the book.

This is indeed the best book I have found on the D300. Although I am an amateur, I have owned a D100, a D200 and now the D300. I use a D40X as a backup. I use Photoshop to review and enhance images. So I'm not new to digital photography.

In general, all DSLR cameras have the same functions. Manufacturers develop similar operating system software, they integrate similar controls, the displays all appear with similar information. From 15 feet, one can't tell one camera from another, and I'll bet few of us could discern the difference between a Canon- and a Nikon-created digital photo, given similar quality lenses.

With this said, without experience with the device, the many functions of a DSLR camera are not easy to use effectively. If you pick up the Nikon D300 manual, it describes the functions of the D300 camera very well, but not WHY one ought to use each of them. David Busch's book does it, and does it very well. Yep, there are a few reiterations from previous publications, but that's because many functions are the same as on previous cameras!

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

I picked up four different "how to use the D300" manuals, five, counting this one; the graphics in this book are clearer, the images are higher quality, the language is well stated and technical points are made so even I can understand them. Plus the quality of this book rates a 10. If you buy this book, you don't need any others.

The book is very well written and gives an excellent explanation of all camera controls and options. The best part is the explanation of the "why" of all options.

This guide has real depth. I know how to use my D300 but I always want to know more and on page after page David Busch provides more. You can skim and learn, you learn even more when you read in depth.

The way it should be. A must have for a D300 owner, newbe or advanced

The owner's manual that Nikon provide with the D300 is fine, up to a point. However, unless you're already an advanced photographer you'll find yourself asking the question, "Sure I now know how to change that setting, but why would I want to?"
This is where David Busch's book comes in. It is a comprehensive guide to the D300 and explains clearly in large colour pictures and text how to get better photos from what is already a fantastic camera.
I found it to be a superb book, well laid out and, at the price, excellent value for money.
I highly recommend it and suggest that, along with your tripod, alternative lenses and flashgun, it forms an essential component of every D300 photographer's kit.

This is extremely helpful for an amateur. Tells the why while the manuel only tells the what. Illustrations are excellent.

David Busch does this great camera justice with a great guide. A fine read as well, never boring or "too technical". If you own a D300, you should have this book.

I have read the book and found it very informative.I feel it is packed with pertinant information and usable graphics.Well worth it in my opinion I refer back to it often.

Quite informative, great price, and needed for these more complicated cameras. It gives more in-depth information in to how the camera works, the settings than the original manual from Nikon.

This guide is excellent - written in layman's language.

I would recommend this book to the new owner, amateur or pro.

It contains such a wealth of information.

Thank you David Busch!

This book is exactly what I was looking for. I have read the negative reviews, frankly the reviewer's opinion of the author is useless to me. What I wanted to know is does the book meet my needs, should I spend my money on it or not?

What I needed for my camera is a comprehensive guide that explaines the purpose and function of every one of the D300's controls, how I should use them in specific situations, and why.

Mr Busch does all of that plus provide helpful insights as to how settings which work well in one environment will actually degrade my work in a different environment (e.g., using D lighting set to high). I was also looking for tips for improving my photographic skills and techniques using the specific features of this camera. The author taps into his knowledge gained throughout his career and does that as well. Mr. Busch writes in a very readable fashion with a degree of humor. His explanations are clear and the pictures supporting the various explanations are accurate and very helpful (especailly in color - something else the owner's guide did not do). Therefore the book does meet my needs.

While it is true that the author does make repeated comments about why he is not covering this point or that point, I found those explanations helpful rather than a hinderance. They removed the guess work about why something was not mentioned or only covered in very limited detail. These are judgment calls by the Author and were necessary unless he wanted to produce an 800 page tome. In addition, since the vast majority of pictures in the book were photos of a D300 (making it a true Nikon D300 Book), of it's switches and menus and its various screens, showing how and where to find the functions being described, the fact (or possibility) that a few of the actual photographs may have been used in another of Mr. Busch's books, or may have been taken with another camera was completely irrelevant to the value of the book as a 'camera specific' guide to producing great work with the D300.

This is a great instruction book on using the D300 to produce great photographs, and it was worth every penny I paid for it.

EHF
Raleigh, NC

The book David Busch's Nikon D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography is a must have for every Nikon D300 owner. In contrast to the owners manual and other 'field guides', this book gives a lot of detailed information about what the camera is capable of, what the tweaks and settings effect, it shows best practices and a lot of tips and tricks. It's not a book for the hasty types among us.

Where do you start with a camera as feature-rich as a D300? That was the question I asked myself as I started unpacking my new purchase. As a Canon 350D user, I had taught myself the basic differences between the digital and film world, but I still consider myself a long way away from being an expert.

The manual that comes with the D300 is comprehensive and explains how to do everything that the camera can do - but it doesn't tell you why! That's where David Busch's book comes in and why I rate it as one of the best books I have purchased. In each section the comprehensive features of the D300 are explained simply with step by step instructions on how to use a feature or how to get the most out it.

There are also excellent chapters on lens selection and use, on working with the various flash options the D300 offers, advanced shooting tips and suggested settings for the custom menu settings.

If you own a D300, you should own this book.

The Nikon D300 is not a point and shoot camera that you can master straight out of the box. One, regardless of photographic knowledge level, needs to invest time and effort to learn to be comfortable with his new toy. The supplied 450+ pages manual, albeit essential and very useful, does leave a lot to be desired. Besides, a manual is essentially a manual, no suggestions or explanations, and no teaching. To invest in a third-party guide book is a very wise thing to do, but with nearly a dozen titles to choose from out there, this one ranks amongst the highest, along with the great book on the D300 by Thom Hogan [...]. This book is not a rehashed manual with some superfluous additions that contribute little in practical terms. David D. Busch is an established photography writer who does a great job with this title. It teaches you how to get more out of your new D300 and how to unleash the hidden features and abilities of that wonderful camera. I will not go into more detail but in my humble opinion it is a good book and a well spent 20 odd bucks. Comes highly recommended.

This is a very helpful book and much easier reading than the supplied instruction book. The "independent" review of Nikon lenses, is also, while unexpected, very helpful, although it could have mentioned the "creep" in the 18 to 200 VR Zoom. I highly recommend this book.

I think that the writer thinks he is the best and continues to just tell you things over and over again about what he is writing about. I think it is boring and he really doesn't get into the facts clearly. He just makes excuses as to why he isn't writting about a feature or he spends time and words to say he will discuss it later on. If he just went through all the issues and the complexity of the camera he would help us greatly...In fact he should tell you how he would set up his camera and tell you why. Then go into details as to how to just program what you would like to suit your own needs. It would be great if he would Cap or " " the words that refer to action as it appears on the camera. Too many times the words flow as description rather than a function that you need to open or click on. I love the large type and the pictures that show clearly the functions but they should be on the same page that the description is on so you don't have to turn pages to look at the picturial.

In general it is a good work book once you get passed all the useless verbage in the beginning.

The Nikon D300 is an upgrade from the their D200 & has a number of new features. Bush's guide is well written & documents the changes as well as walking the reader through the camera's operations in easy to understand language.

This is simply the best camera guide I have read. It is easy to follow and full of practical, hands on knowledge, not a rehash of the manual.

I think overall the book is quite well written. The only suggestion that I have is that there is too much comparison between other models of the Nikon cameras which I felt were not needed. Few people who read this book will have the D3 to be concerned about how it compares to the D300. For some who do not have any of the other models they do not make any difference when trying to learn more about the D300. There is a lot of time spent describing various lenses that could be used with the D300 that is probably not necessary either. To mention the three "always have" lenses is ok, but the rest, in my mind were not needed. Also talking about the various speed lights that are available could be covered in a book specifically about the speed light the user owns and will use with the camera. I purchased the book to learn more about the D300 and it did that plus.

I have several competitors' books and dvd's for my D300, I am a writer with not an ounce of techie in me - my camera is used for art and that's how I approach photography. This book WAS A GODSEND!!! The extra large schematics of every LCD and custom menu screen was like water to a parched and frustrated traveler. I only wish I had gotten Busch's D200 book 2 yrs ago for my D200 instead of the dipsy-doodle Elite Video series where you watch a goon in a funny hat and another with big thumbs try and explain the many dials and settings of these magnificent pieces of equipment. Suffice it to say, I bought Busch's book, and immediately called my artist sister who also owns the D300, and said FINALLY a book we can understand with wonderfully articulate text coupled with great graphics. Maybe after I finish this excellent road map, Hogan's guide will make more sense to me.

This book is just plain bad.
Spends half the book telling you that he will discuss the topic in another chapter.. really bad.
Its a choppy ramble and not a well crafted book.
Try Mastering the Nikon D300 by Darrel Young.. I just bought it and was relived to find it to be the book I was truly looking for.

I pay heavy attention to negative reviews before buying a book. I read the 3 negative reviews of this book, bought it anyway, and am glad I did. If you are considering buying a D300, just do it - it's a great camera. (The new D90 is also a good choice for advanced amateurs - it a prosumer version of the D300 - like the D80 is to the D200). If you buy a D300, this book is the best out there for getting you up to speed fast. The other books/video previews I've seen are a rehash of the manual. This book doesn't just tell you what a setting does, it tells you why and when you should use it. It also provides a number of different configurations for different shooting settings (studio vs. sports, etc.) - invaluable to someone new to the camera.

For the negative reviewer who complained that the author mentions a subject briefly and then mentions he'll talk about it in greater detail in another chapter? Dude, it's a literary device called a "cross reference". I'm not sure why that upsets you so, but get over it, for Pete's sake. Someone also complained Busch reused some images from a previous book. Since those images have nothing to do with the D300 itself but instead explain a general photographic concept common to all cameras, I really don't see the harm (or the sense on reshooting the same pics with a D300). How anyone can give this book a rating of 1 star is beyond me.

This is a great book - D300 owners should not hesitate to buy it.

;-{>

I have had my D300 for 8 months and have become familiar with the features, however, David Busch's Guide has helped me pick up additional tips for making adjustments in the many menu options. This is much easier to understand than the Nikon manual.

This for me was Mr.Busch's best guide.Clear -precise -he leads the reader-owner step by step through each function and menus of this incredible body.He recommends settings after explaining how one reaches them and what they do.This camera has a steep learning curve-he makes it easier.Highly useful and well worth its price.

This book is basically excellent - lots of information and very helpful, well presented opinions. Busch not only explains the enormous array of options, he presents his suggestions and includes his reasons for the choices so the reader can decide what to try. My only quibble here would be that not enough time is spent on sports, fast action, photojournalism interests - but this ia really minor as all the information is there.

The annoyances are minor but add up over the course of 400+ pages. I would pay more for fewer pages! The book is far too large to carry around and could so easily have been produced in a more usable size without cutting out one single bit of content. Simply eliminating the constant repetition of what Busch will cover, where he'll cover it, what he has just covered and how other Nikons work or used to work would make the book so much more readable and portable. Also, some illustrations are huge, repetitious and/or not informative. Save the trees, our backs and our tempers, please and give us this excellent guide in a more organized and straightforward manner. I don't think anyone thinks the book is worth more because of it's size.

If you have a D300 get this book.I moved up from a D70s,and It was a good move.The D300 Is a lot more complex and does require some study.David "ALMOST" makes the Nikon manual obsolete,a lot easier to use and understand.I get lost In the manual but the book makes It look easy.You will be missing a lot of features of the camera if you don't read this book.

Great book; I read every page and am now a better user of my new D300.

Gernerally a very good book. Much more user friendly than the camera's manual. Explanations are very clear. I am finding it valuable.

When you buy a Nikon D300 and by no means a cheap camera you expect a manual supplied with this camera to help understand how to use this fantastic camera it fails on all fronts, And it hard to believe Nikon would produce such a bad manual, Where David Busch guide to Nikon D300 explains in such a way you understand how to get the best from the camera and use all the features that makes this camera such a joy to use
Davids book should replace the manual supplied by nikon,

Better than the manual alone, but still, some of the most demanding questions a new D300 user would ask, remain unanswered, such as:

How exactly does the autofocus system work?
What exactly does it mean for focus to be "locked"?
How does one decide between 51, 21, & 9 dynamic focus points?

I understand the concept of flash sync speed, but why is the default value 1/250 (disabling high-speed sync), should I change it to 1/320 AutoFP, or 1/250 AutoFP? - what's the difference when using built-in versus external flash?

Again, better than the manual alone, but I would consider reading the manual together with experimenting, and reading online forums as an alternative.

Also, there were a couple of technical blunders. The one I remember is: The author says he can't tell the difference in image quality between lossless compressed and un-compressed. (Answer: there isn't any) - begging the question of why is un-compressed even an option since lossless compressed seems better in every way - Perfect data integrity in a smaller file, and although it requires more CPU to compress it, it can be written faster to CF, which is where the bottleneck of RAW shooting lies (am I missing something?).

Rob Cole - www.robcole.com

You simply MUST have this book. I read the manual that came with the camera and it is very good. I had already ordered this book and I thought I had wasted my money. I was completely wrong. This book explain you even how to open the box where the camera came in. The pictures are very clear and very easy to follow even without your camera. First he gives a quick overview and later he goes deep in every detail. I usually do no write reviews because of my english but I feel his book is too good to go without notice

I'd recommend a freind to buy the book.
The book in addition to the a very concise description of every feature of the camera, it gives many small and helpful tips and ideas.

Ram

This book is for the person who knows nothing about photography and for those who think they know everything.
It is most informative in the complexes of this camera and if, like me, you find some aspects hard to take in at first, the beauty of the written word is that it can be re-read.
I've only got to page 63 so far but look forward to picking it up at every chance.
Highly recommended.

IF your buying a D300, I'd spring for Dave's book and just forget reading the manual inlcuded with the camera. The book is sooo much easier to read and follow. The nice color images of all the menus, settings, and examples(these are most useful) help accent the knowledgeable text. The price is well worth it (it's only $20 thruough amazon). Highly recommended.

Excellent book to supplement the instruction manual that is supplied by Nikon for the D 300.

I'm still reading it and will continue to do so until I have mastered this camera. Simple enough for non-techy's like me...helpful enough for the pro-photographer.

David Busch writes clearly and covers all facets of using the D300. The book is best for less-experienced users of Nikon DSLRs. I was hoping for deeper insights and a larger collection of tricks and special methods of using the sophisticated exposure and focus controls than the writer offers.

Clearly written and well organized. Good photo illustrations of camera and scenes explaining camera use. The book not only tells how to set the camera but gives you the reasons behind the settings.

This book is easy to read. The words just flow and I always read more than I can absorb at one time! David Busch explains how the D300 works, where all of the buttons are located and what to do with those buttons. I can't wait to get into the later chapters.

This book is a great companion for the D300. I recommend it.

This book has been very useful to me as the d300 is my first DSLR, although I have used film slrs for many years, and a very good Kodak p850 digital camera for about two years. The manual Nikon supplies with the d300 seems complete, but is lacking explanation. The camera is terrific, especially now that it's capabilies have become evident through usage of the guidebook. Explantions are clear and useful, diagrams and photos are of excellent quality,and content seems complete. I believe that most folks delving into the digital world will appeciate this work. The price is right, the book is well worth the outlay.

Cover everything you need to know about the D300. Read some other book liked this one best. Buy it, you will be happy with it

I actually bought this book thinking that it would be like the Magic Lantern books. A small but well written and illustrated field manual. WRONG. It is a large, well written instruction book that shows you everything you could possibly need to know about the fantastic Nikon D300 camera. There is not a better book out there if you have a D300, but dont expect to slip this monster in your camera bag.

This is a great guide to both learning how to use the myriad of options on a Nikon D-300, but also gives great advice on how to be a better photographer. Whether you just want to find out how to do one thing, or want to learn how to use everything this is the guide.

I love it.

It also gives great information on accessories, e.g. get a generic strap not a Nikon D-300 strap that says steal me. Which lenses to buy etc.

Bill

Provides an explanation for each of the many features and menu choices for this complex camera. No small task. Far superior to manual. Also provides practical guidance of preferred settings for many situations with rationale for why used and some examples from personal experience. Comprehensive in scope with some areas beyond most amateurs, however nice to know they are there. Very helpful in taking full advantage of this wonderful camera.

David Busch writes very clear descriptions of the technical aspects of DSLR cameras. The Nikon D300 is quite a technical masterpiece, especially as I moved up from a Nikon D80 & needed all the help I could get! David Busch came through again. I highly recommend this book for all of us who like to have a book in hand as we learn something new. This book is so much easier and more detailed than the manual.

I have purchase this book recommended by a friend.It is a great book for new starters and others as well, the book gives great information on all the functions on the camera. After reading some of the topics on the book I can see my photography improving. Has very clear description and pictures to understand the operation of camera in different circumstances and examples of functions. Overall the camera is great, without the book it is slightly difficult to understand the instructions that come with camera and the book goes into alot more detail in general about getting the most out of your D300.

Highly recommended to all

Thank you

Michael

If you own a Nikon D300, this book is a must for your library.
What the author has done is amazing. I can think of no camera that has a better book to go along with the manual than this one. This book offers ideas and suggestions that I have to go to other books to get. This book is an all in one book.

I just hope the author does another on for the Nikon D700.
This is a must purchase for all Nikon D300 owners.

Excellent book, highly recommended. Have been using Nikon F-series cameras since 1979, my D300 is my first digital camera, and the David Busch guide has really helped me get comfortable with the camera, and explained a lot of associated things along the way. Definitely not a rehash of the manual.

My only criticisms would involve editing; there are some "oops" sections that better editing would have clarified, and some of the discussions that are supposed to take place in later chapters don't (at least I haven't found them, and I'm on my 4th reading).

I had only had my Nikon D300 for a few months before ordering this book. I had read the user's manual and was enjoying the camera very much. I knew I was not fully utilizing the camera and wanted more. This book did it. It was easy to read and understand. I am now doing more with this camera than I ever dreamed possible. If you want to understand your D300 to the max, this is the book!

I bought this book when I bought my D300.

My background is that I have owned Nikon SLRs for over 30 years, the most recent being a F90 (N90 in the USA). The D300 is my first digital SLR - I have a Panasonic FZ5 digital point and shoot. So I am pretty familiar with the Nikon film system and SLRs but not digital.

The book is over 400 pages long, printed on good quality paper and with reasonable quality colour images throughout. It achieves what Mr Busch's preface suggests : "... explains the purpose and function of every one of the D300's controls, how you should use them in specific situations and why".

It does not just rehash the manual and I found that having the manual alongside this book was useful in clarifying occasional points. The manual serves its purpose to describe the controls - Mr Busch adds a lot of meat to that skeleton in explaing how and why to use various features in real-world situations.

Some more advanced users may find some of the basic material a little low level but it only occupies a small portion of the book and is obviously very useful for beginners buying the D300.

In summary, I believe that the book does a great job in fulfilling its stated purpose. I certainly found it very useful. I've just finished reading it and I'll start at the beginning again.

And it costs twenty bucks! If that isn't good value, I don't know what is.
(I have no connection with the author, publisher or seller).

I think this is the most comprehensive book fro D300 owners. It has all the information for new owners that you would find in the manual, but it is laid out much better and is easier to understand with all the large photos the author includes. There are so many menu pictures you can't help but understand.

The D300 is different from previous Nikon DSLRs in terms of focus and metering, and the author clearly explains the differences and offers suggestions as to when to use what metering and/or af option.

David Busch's Nikon D300 is an excellent guide for an excellent camera with complex multiple options. I highly recommend it to all D300 users with the possible exception of expert D200 users who need only become familiar with the several upgrades and new options.

The only fault, if it is one, for this extensively detailed guide book is that generic, basic photographic instruction is included and superficially covered when it would have been preferable, from my point of view, for those pages to be used for an easily referenced table listing all the D300 menu options. But, with over 400 pages covering all aspects of D300 use in detail with numerous high quality illustrations, photos and clear, easily followed language, this is a very minor complaint.

The best by far of any camera guide part of my experience yet published and as a bonus, it is priced at less than half the cost of many other photographic books of similar size and quality.

Compared to the previous manuals I have owned for the D200, including the field guide by David Busch, this is the best. It covers not only the how-to but the why. Great illustrations, clear writing and a wealth of detail make this the second thing you should buy after your D300.

Great explanation of the Nikon D300. Very well organized and much easier to find an answer to specific questions. Reccommend to everyone who owns the D300.

I am extremely disappointed with a specific portion of David Busch's D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography. I purchased the book to get a deeper understanding of specific settings. One of them being Picture Controls. On page 111 David states "Picture Control styles are important enough and cool enough that I am going to devote a large chunk of Chapter 6 to discussing them. In this chapter, (chapter 3) I'm going to provide only the barebones information you need to set and edit Picture Control styles. If you need to know more immediately, it's OK to skip ahead to chapter 6."
There is nothing, nada, devoted to Picture Controls in Chapter 6.
This is a huge oversight on the part of the editor. If David didn't feel up to discussing the Picture Control in depth, that's fine but why would he specifically promise more information in another chapter only to completely omit it?

As mentioned elsewhere, I am in the process of converting from film to digital photography and there are certain aspects which I have found quite daunting. Over the past few months I have studied several books and tutorial DVDs on the subject as that process of conversion continues. I have also attended courses run by Nikon (UK) and it was on the first of those I was introduced to this book. My fellow student insisted this was the best available on the subject and I have come to the conclusion he was right.

Of course, there are those whose expertise is already at a well advanced level who seem to delight in purchasing products such as this just to write a less than praiseworthy review. It's called showing off! Take it from someone who has studied the field, whatever you want or need to know about this camera, the answer really is found in this product.

Laid out in an easy-to-follow format with plenty of excellent illustrations this book begins at the BEGINNING by helping you set up your camera. Slowly, the author builds upon each item shown as we work our way through the book to learn all, there is to learn about the Nikon D300.

I always find it better to read a number of books on the same subject - if only because a different approach often helps to explain a difficult point in an alternative way. If, however, you can only afford one book on this subject, then "This" is the one to buy.

NM

THE BOOK IS SIMPLY FANTASTIC. VERY EASY TO READ EVEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW VERY WELL THE ENGLISH. YOU CAN FIND ALL THE MENU ITEMS VERY WELL EXPLAINED AND EVEN A LITTLE EXPLANATION OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNICS.

If you have the D300, this is a must have book. Very thorough from front to back.

As a seasoned Nikon dSLR camera user (D70, D70s, D80, D100, D200, and the D300) and digital photograply/PC instructor, I constantly look for resources that will allow me and my students to maximize the potential of the current dSLR camera that we are using. There are so many features packed into the numerous, menus (6), buttons (23), switches (5) and dials (5) of the D300, it is difficult to learn the significance and proper use of these (by just reading the Users Manual). David Busch's Nikon D300 Guide to Digital Photography is the most comprehensive resource (432 pages) that I have found in print. David not only introduces you to each feature but explains when and how to use them to maximize your photographic skills. This resource is more than resonably priced and at a price of $19.79 it should be considered a 'steal'. If you really want to explore and master all the features embedded in Nikon's D300 dSLR then this is the resource for you. You want be disappointed.

Joe R. Bumgardner, M.D., F.A.C.S.

This book has been very helpful to me as an addition to the instruction manual with the camera. It is more comprehensive and much easier to understand. I am still working on learning about the camera but definitely would recommend the book to people like me who are not experienced photographers.

This guide is one of the best I have ever used. I read more of it every evening. It has turned my D300 into a tool , not just a toy anymore. Thank you David!

This is the best I have seen and read, easy to understand and great photos and graphics. A Must if you want to get the best handle on the D 300

This DBusch's digital D300 guide book demystifies and explains in plain language the information that was left out of the user's manual in a very usable manner. The guide also let's you know what it does not include and why and prompts the reader to other information if such is desired by the reader and user of the Nikon D300 Digital camera. Will provide certain assistance to the users of other Nikon digital cameras as well, where they have in-common features. I would rate the book as excellent and a help to anyone beginning with a professional level camera who has less than professional level skills or even for pros who might need a touch-up refresher in certain technical uses of the shooting menus, for example.

I have been a Nikon-camera user for over 20 years. I would highly recommend this book. It is easy to follow, well illustrated, and frankly, has the quality of a National Geographic Magazine.

I am looking to see if the author has a book on lighting techniques. Accordingly, I guess, "actions speak louder than words". I am impressed by his work on this book and I am trying move on to, hopefully, his next one.

Worth the investment!

Peter G. Donovan

Busch's book makes using the d300 a lot easier. Sometimes I refer to the manual that came with the camera, but his illustrations particularly clarify the button controls and use of menus.Index could be more complete - sometimes it refers you to specific page numbers and sometimes to a whole chapter (without specifying page numbers). Over all an excellent reference book for the Nikon D300 and also a good read with some nice photos.

I was overwhelmed by my D300 before I got this guide. Trying to understand how and when to use all the features of this camera was difficult. But David Busch's guide to the Nikon D300 was just what I needed.

The book is well organized and gives you a good solid understanding of how to make intelligent chices of how to set up and use the full power of this amazing camera.

When I got my D300 I bought all the aftermarket books. There's so much to learn; it's such a capable camera. Most of the books were garbage, some were little more than rehash of the owner's manual. This book is far and away the best. Extremely step by step and thorough, well-written and well-organized.

The bottom line? The best book on the D300 and the only one you need.

I have already read through most of this book underlining and circling the various parts I may want to refer to again and again. I have read his book for D80 and D200 and this one is even better. Much better! Very clear photos and diagrams. He also states some preferences that I find helpful as guidelines. After reading through most of this book (still reading it) I was able to read through Nikon's thick manual and understand it quite well. Had I just read the Nikon's manual, some important information would have been missing. I ordered mine from [...] for a very reasonable price and they packaged it better than my Nikon D300 camera was packaged by the company who shipped it. I would highly recommend this book and the company I purchased it from. If you really want to effectively use your Nikon D300 and enjoy using it, buy and read this book. David Busch's Nikon D300 Digital Field Guide. Jean

I have a lot of experience with film cameras and digital imagery so I was confident that the learning curve for the D300 wouldn't be a problem for me. I dove into the 400 page manual that came with the camera and read it cover to cover and looked at all of the camera's onboard help. The User's Manual falls painfully short of being useful unless you're already very familiar with the various details of digital photography (noise reduction, D-lighting, white balance, metering/exposure options, etc.).
Busch brings you everything the manual has and shows you how to use it and why you'd want to. The book is worth the price for the Shooting Menu and Custom Setting Bank recommendations alone. If I'd have bought the book at the same time I bought the camera, I'd have been over the hump in the learning curve much sooner.

A book that an advanced amateur photographer would enjoy and benefit - well, except for the author's continual reference and comparision to Nikon's D200; having no knowledge of the D200, I found this to be superfluous. The explanation of the camera's basic features goes well beyond the location on the camera and what the feature does. The author tells why one would select a given feature and the results of implementing it. I particularly liked the section explaning the camera's menu options. There are many examples and explanations of how and why to shoot under the photographer's varying environmental conditions. The sections covering lense and flash selection and utilization are extensive. The book is easy to read, and with many color illustrations as aids, makes it a valuable addition to one's photo library.

There have been many reviews of this book, some covering various specific chapters. I was looking for something that simply did not regurgitate the Nikon operators manual, that was easy to use with well defined chapters that I could refer back to whilst still learning the camera. This book delivered all of what I asked for and allowed me to start getting the most out of my camera in a very short time. If you are new to the Nikon series of DSLR's as I was, [Former Olympus]then this manual is an absolute must have before going out and taking the pictures you want to keep.

As pointed out by others it does have some typo errors, but I am not an editor or a publisher, I am Joe Bloggs that wants to know how to master my camera and those said typo errors did not affect what I needed to know. Over all a well written users manual to get you started and worth the money.

This book does much better to help in understanding and operating the D300 than the users manual that comes with the camera. It's well written and well illustrated. While the Nikon users manual tells you what the many switches and menu items do, Busch's book explains the reasoning behind making each selection.

I was disappointed with the fact that this book is only a bit more than a user's manual. For those who are advanced in photography might be boring and obvious. Parts that I found more interesting were very brief.

Purchased the D300 and read the Nikon owners manual. David Busch's Nikon D300 book does a better job of explaining in detail the functionality, purpose and ability of this wonderful camera. Simply stated, buy this book even if you think that you "know" this camera, you will not be disappointed.

It is not often I get emotional about a camera guide book; I can take them or leave them. However, with David Busch's book that casual opinion has had to give way to admiration and gratitude. Admiration for the enthusiasm within (just read the intro!!....) and gratitude for making a fully optioned DSLR and complex Nikon menu clearly accessible at a first reading. I finished most of the book, camera in hand, on the first night I received it (yeah, I know; I should try and get a more interesting life.....).

Be that as it may, I awoke the next morning feeling much relieved about having to come to grips with the D300, and a little sheepish for having taken so long to round out my knowledge of this particular Nikon.

Even though the back says the book is for 'beginners', I can't really imagine beginners wading in with a camera this complex. Even so, as a Nikon user, I learned heaps, and I have been shooting (first film, and then digital) Nikons for around 30 years and upgraded to the D300 from the D200. I think his little tips about bits and pieces to buy is helpful as it allows you to evaluate how well what you have fits the bill.

But most of all, the author is to be congratulated on making a potentially dry and boring subject so easy to read, do and learn. I appreciate this book for its ability to teach effortlessly and if I could, I would give David Busch a hug and a pat on the back for making the why and wherefores of the Nikon D300 so immediately accessible.

Yes I know this only a camera guide.

You should see how I react to Photoshop books I like.... :)

Buy it.

I bought this book at the same time as I bought my D300. My decision was really based on reading the reviews here. I used to be into SLRs with film and am getting back into the hobby with Digital.

I have both this book and the small Nikon reference book provided with the camera. I use both.

The smaller Nikon book can fit in any pack but this book is better at getting the information across in a readable fashion.

The book is detailed but does not simplify procedures for a step by step "how to". For example the section of bracketing left me going elsewhere for advice.

The book gives you a clear view of "this does that" on the the camera. It does not give you any personal views such as "I use this a lot because" or " this is not very usefull because" information.

This book is OK but not really worth the money. Just read the manual.